More than one year ago, Thomas Mleczko, clerk of the Board of Assessors, took over the duties of then full-time city clerk Bill Tuggle.
When A.J. Dolce was elected mayor, he reinstated the city clerk position, part time, into the budget in January. Tonight, that part-time post may become full time if it is approved by Common Council.
In other words, it is another expense for city taxpayers to pick up at a time when money is not flowing into City Hall. For that reason alone, the resolution should be rejected tonight.
But the odds of its defeat - for a position that has not been full time for 13 months - are not good. There are four Democrats and one Independence Party member on the council - and the clerk is a political appointment.
Government needs to show it can change with the times. Taking a position to full time from part time - in a depressed city - continues the disturbing historic trend of not controlling expenses at City Hall.
